The Ring Road between Lómagnúpur mountain, east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur village, and Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon has been closed to all traffic due to violent storm and dangerous localized winds. The Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority closed the road early morning. Localized winds in the Öræfi region have reached hurricane force, exceeding 40 m/s (92 mph).
ICE SAR warns drivers to expect blowing sand in SE Iceland. Rental cars are usually NOT insured for damage caused by blowing sand.
A Yellow Weather Alert is in effect for S and SE Iceland. The The Icelandic Meteorological Office warns of Poor traveling conditions due to severe gale, with localized winds and windgusts reaching as much as 50 m/s (112 mph) in the South East.
The alert is in effect until 19:00 (7pm) tonight, Wednesday March 28.
The areas affected by the storm include many popular tourist destinations, including the Golden Circle as well as the Black Sand Beaches on the South Coast, and Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Skaftafell visitor center in Vatnajökull National Park, and the glacial lagoons in South East Iceland, including both Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón.
The IMO warns that a severe easterly and southesterly gale, 20-25 m/s (45-56 mph) in S. and S.E. Iceland, with localized winds reaching 50 m/s (112 mph). Localized winds along steep mountains, like the mountains between Seljalandsfoss waterfall and the village Vík, or the foothills of Öræfajökull glacier, can easily reach much greater force, and can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
ICE-SAR travel alert for SE Iceland
A travel alert has been issued for south and west Iceland, asking travelers to take care and slow down.
Wind gusts over 40 m/s (90 mph, 145 km/h) expected today from Seljalandsfoss to Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon until tonight! Wind sensitive vehicles, such as campers, advised not to travel in these areas! Others SLOW DOWN!
People are also warned to expect blowing sand:
Blowing sand in SE-Iceland!Sand expected to blow over the roads from Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Skaftafell today, Wednesday March 28th. Road has been closed as this can damage the cars!
Travelers should remember keep two things in mind:
1) Expect powerful windgusts when driving near steep mountain sides. Individual gusts can easily reach hurricane force, causing drivers to lose control of their vehicles or blowing cars off the road. The Ring Road runs close to numerous steep mountains where such windgusts form.
2) Driving conditions become progressively more difficult at higher altitudes. The Ring Road crosses several mountain passes and heaths where driving conditions can deteriorate rapidly.
after the IMO issued a Yellow Weather Warning for in effect for South and South East Iceland:
The Ring Road between Lómagnúpur mountain, east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur village, and Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon has been closed to all traffic due to violent storm and dangerous localized winds. The Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority closed the road early morning. Localized winds in the Öræfi region have reached hurricane force, exceeding 40 m/s (92 mph).
ICE SAR warns drivers to expect blowing sand in SE Iceland. Rental cars are usually NOT insured for damage caused by blowing sand.
A Yellow Weather Alert is in effect for S and SE Iceland. The The Icelandic Meteorological Office warns of Poor traveling conditions due to severe gale, with localized winds and windgusts reaching as much as 50 m/s (112 mph) in the South East.
The alert is in effect until 19:00 (7pm) tonight, Wednesday March 28.
The areas affected by the storm include many popular tourist destinations, including the Golden Circle as well as the Black Sand Beaches on the South Coast, and Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Skaftafell visitor center in Vatnajökull National Park, and the glacial lagoons in South East Iceland, including both Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón.
The IMO warns that a severe easterly and southesterly gale, 20-25 m/s (45-56 mph) in S. and S.E. Iceland, with localized winds reaching 50 m/s (112 mph). Localized winds along steep mountains, like the mountains between Seljalandsfoss waterfall and the village Vík, or the foothills of Öræfajökull glacier, can easily reach much greater force, and can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
ICE-SAR travel alert for SE Iceland
A travel alert has been issued for south and west Iceland, asking travelers to take care and slow down.
Wind gusts over 40 m/s (90 mph, 145 km/h) expected today from Seljalandsfoss to Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon until tonight! Wind sensitive vehicles, such as campers, advised not to travel in these areas! Others SLOW DOWN!
People are also warned to expect blowing sand:
Blowing sand in SE-Iceland!Sand expected to blow over the roads from Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Skaftafell today, Wednesday March 28th. Road has been closed as this can damage the cars!
Travelers should remember keep two things in mind:
1) Expect powerful windgusts when driving near steep mountain sides. Individual gusts can easily reach hurricane force, causing drivers to lose control of their vehicles or blowing cars off the road. The Ring Road runs close to numerous steep mountains where such windgusts form.
2) Driving conditions become progressively more difficult at higher altitudes. The Ring Road crosses several mountain passes and heaths where driving conditions can deteriorate rapidly.
after the IMO issued a Yellow Weather Warning for in effect for South and South East Iceland:
